GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOLGROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

September 24, 2007

 

District Office

 

 

The minutes are unofficial pending Board of Education approval.

 

Members Present

Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha Smith, and Miriam Zubal

 

Also Present

Jennifer Dove, Connie Miller Filzen, Eric Hartz, Tim Heller, Brenda Myers, Michelle Pronti, and

Sheri Shurtleff

 

Call to Order

Miriam Zubal called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  There was a quorum check, assurance of meeting posting and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Approval of Agenda

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda with the following change:

- Delete 5. E. TST BOCES SBA Executive Committee Report

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes from the September 10, 2007, Board of Education meeting.

 

Acceptance of August 2007 Treasurer’s Report

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the August 2007 Treasurer’s Report.

Summary of Executive Sessions

Dr. Brenda Myers reported on the Executive Sessions of September 10, 2007:

- 1st Executive Session

       a.  Collective Bargaining

- 2nd Executive Session

       a.  CSE/CPSE Recommendations

       b.  Employment History of a Specific Individual

       c.  Student Issue


Presentations

Dr. Jennifer Dove, Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology, presented an overview of the upcoming October 5th Superintendent’s Conference Day agenda.

 


Eric Hartz, High School Principal, provided information for Homecoming events:

-  distributed schedule

-  date is October 12th

-  tried to include more night games during the week, but can’t overuse Ross Field

-  trying for a night game at TC3

-  October 5th Varsity football game may be held at Cornell’s Schoellkopf Field

 

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

1.   Summer Youth Program

      - Chad DeVoe and Randy Sovocool worked with TANF Summer Project youth workers

      - Gretchen Pratt and Eric Hartz worked to get students their working papers to be able to

         participate in the program

2.   Groton Youth Commission

      - received grant from Tompkins County Youth Services

      - working together with other Tompkins County youth organizations

3.   Construction Manager

      - Greenwood Corporation hired a new person, Thomas Sanford, who will be assigned to Groton

4.   Facility Update

      - Ross Field Advisory Committee will meet on October 23, 2007, to discuss new     

        football/baseball field design

      - looking at press box replacement – work would be SED aidable

      - looking at proposal for Ross Field and windows at the middle-high school as new project

      - looking at traffic pattern and entrance update as a second new project

5.   Memorial Garden Proposal

      - looking at a memorial garden at the corner of the track

      - Groton Education Fund would sell engraved pavers and receive profit

6.   Land for Sale

      - two parcels of land for sale across from Groton Elementary School

      - looked at them, but no potential for the school

 

Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager:

1.   Change in IRS Regulations:

      -  changes in regs for 403b’s (TSA)

      -  GCS had hired OMNI – which has been a great help

      - letter went to all employees who have TSA’s

 

Questions for Leadership Team Regarding Written Reports

Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal:

- conference was very good – simple and easy to understand

- MS boy’s campout was great

      - thanked Michael Lockwood for his help

      - Joe Martin, Steve Totman and seven middle school male teachers stayed all night

      - had 50 boys participate in the campout

 

Tim Heller, Elementary School Principal:

- mental health screenings conducted at Mental Health Department

- ES could become official satellite for Tompkins County Mental Health Department

- first expenditure from anonymous $400.00 donation – phone and TV hookup for family


Linda Competillo, Communications Committee:

- held meeting on September 17, 2007

- reviewed Opening Day – what is needed or changes for next year?

- beginning this year, will celebrate NYS School-Related Professionals Day on November 20th

- Staff Appreciation Day will still be celebrated in May

- District Communication Plan – to be brought to October 15th BOE meeting

- thinking about forming a District Sympathy Committee

 

Martha Smith, Report on GBA Meeting:

-   very positive meeting

-   talked about new business – Saulsbury coming to Groton with 30+ new jobs

 

Linda Competillo reported on Hot Dog Day at TST BOCES

 

Board President’s Report

Miriam Zubal reported:

1.  Summary of Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for new Conditioning Room

     - nice ceremony

     - athletes did a great job

     - thanked everyone involved

2.  Conversation – School Events

     - parking was challenging at the Elementary School Open House

     - question about car wash fundraiser held at the fire station on a Sunday

     - Michael Lockwood attended the ES Welcome Back Picnic and helped at the MS Boys Campout

     - Middle School Open House had a tremendous turnout

     - October 15th – BOE work session will be an Audit Committee Meeting

 

Appointments

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following appointments:

1.  Laura Hathaway and Katie Romeo, 2007-08 Co-Advisors of the Elementary School Store

2.  Lorraine Zraik and Chad DeVoe, 2007-08 Co-Advisors of Middle School Memory Book

3.  Linda Gobel and Michelle Stewart, 2007-08 Extra‑Curricular Account Treasurers, effective

     September 25, 2007

 

Correction of Appointment

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to correct the appointment made at the September 10, 2007 meeting to the following:

Julianne Shurtleff, Secretary to the Principal, Provisional, Conditional, effective August 31, 2007, 11 Months/8 hours per day, Rate of Pay: $10.50/hour.

 

Approval of Substitutes

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Chris Montreuil abstained) to approve the following substitutes:

1.  Steve Marcin, Certified Teacher

2.  Scott Montreuil, Certified Teacher

3.  Sarah Lockhart, Certified Teacher


Resignation

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept Cheryl Neville’s letter of resignation from her position as Secretary to the Principal (Secretary to the Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology), effective at the end of the day October 17, 2007.

 

Approval to Sell Dodge Truck by Sealed Bid

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve selling the Dodge truck by sealed bid.

 

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar announcements.

 

Meeting Summary

- Conditioning Room Ceremony

- upcoming Superintendent’s Conference Day

- Homecoming plans

- Memorial Garden

- appointments

- substitutes

- school events/activities

 

Executive Session – 8:19 p.m.

A motion was made by Chris Montreuil, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to go into Executive Session to discuss:

1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations

2. Employment History of a Specific Individual

 

Board Members Present in Executive Session

Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha Smith, and Miriam Zubal

 

Also Present

Michelle Pronti (left at 8:30 p.m.) and Brenda Myers

 

Reconvene Meeting – 8:38 p.m.

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to reconvene to regular session.

 

Acceptance of CSE/CPSE Recommendations

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.

 

Adjournment – 8:40 p.m.

On a motion made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, the meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Mary Walker

District Clerk